Traffic Safety

Plain English Breakdown

Checked against official source text during the last sync.

Rules for Hauling Poles, Logs, and Timber

This bill changes rules about how long vehicles can be when they carry poles, logs, or timber in Tennessee.

What This Bill Does

• Limits the length of trucks carrying single pieces of poles, logs, or timber to 75 feet unless a special permit is obtained.
• Requires trailers hauling these materials to have extendable rear impact protection that meets federal safety standards and extends beyond the load.
• Allows for an escort vehicle with a large sign saying 'OVERSIZE LOAD' if the trailer does not meet the rear impact protection requirement.

Who It Names or Affects

• Drivers who haul poles, logs, or timber in Tennessee
• The Department of Safety and Transportation

Terms To Know

NHTSA

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, a federal agency that sets safety standards for vehicles.

Oversize Load

A vehicle carrying materials larger than standard size limits and requires special signs to warn other drivers.

Limits and Unknowns

• The bill does not apply if following it would cause the state to lose federal funding or grants.
• It is unclear how many drivers will need permits for hauling poles, logs, or timber over 75 feet long.

Official Summary Text

Present law generally prohibits the limitation as to length of vehicles from applying to loads of poles, logs, or timber in
single length pieces
. However,

a
motor vehicle, including any
part of the body or load, transporting such material
must

not
be in excess of
75 feet
in length unless a permit
for such
has first been obtained
.

This bill adds that a load of poles, logs, or timber must be (i) hauled by
a trailer with an extendable and
retractable rear impact protection that
meets
or exceeds the standards set forth by the national highway traffic safety administration
and extends
beyond the longest log, pole, or piece of timber on the trailer
or (ii)
followed by an escort vehicle with a
sign attached to the rear of the vehicle that
is at least 7 feet wide and 18 inches high and contains the
words "OVERSIZE LOAD" in black letters that are at least 10

inches high on a yellow background
.

However, if
the department of safety or department
of transportation receives documentation from a federal agency that compliance with
a provision of

this bill may
jeopardize federal funding or grant money for the respective department, then th
e applicable
department is not required to comply with such pro
vision
of this bill, but
the department
must
comply with each provision that does not
so
jeopardize such federal funding or grant money.

Current Bill Text

SENATE BILL 596
By Gardenhire

HOUSE BILL 615
By Travis

HB0615
002667
- 1 -

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 55
and Title 65, relative to vehicles that haul poles,
logs, or timber.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE:
SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 55-7-201, is amended by deleting
subsection (f) and substituting instead:
(f) The limitation as to length stated in this section does not apply to loads of
poles, logs, or timber in single-length pieces; provided, that:
(1) The motor vehicle, including any part of the body or load, transporting
such material must not exceed seventy-five feet (75') in length unless a permit
has first been obtained as authorized in § 55-7-205; and
(2) The load of poles, logs, or timber:
(A) Is hauled by a trailer with an extendable and retractable rear
impact protection that:
(i) Meets or exceeds the standards set forth by the
national highway traffic safety administration (NHTSA) in 49 CFR
571.223; and
(ii) Extends beyond the longest log, pole, or piece of
timber on the trailer; or
(B) Is followed by an escort vehicle with a sign attached to the
rear of the vehicle that:
(i) Is at least seven feet (7′) wide and eighteen inches
(18″) high; and

- 2 - 002667

(ii) Contains the words "OVERSIZE LOAD" in black letters
that are at least ten inches (10″) high on a yellow background.
SECTION 2. If the department of safety or department of transportation receives
documentation from a federal agency that compliance with a provision of this act may
jeopardize federal funding or grant money for the respective department, then that department
is not required to comply with such provision; provided, that the departments shall comply with
each provision of this act that does not jeopardize such federal funding or grant money.
SECTION 3. This act takes effect July 1, 2025, the public welfare requiring it.